Hip-hop hooray, it’s time for playback, yo. This week’s edition comes from senior kinesiology major Matt Kuhnen. The Monee native dressed up as Simba from “The Lion King” for Halloween last year and plans on doing the same this year. If Kuhnen were to somehow gain the superhero-like power to warp the minds of music executives to force them to create the greatest CD in the history of the entire universe, these would be 15 songs that would be worthy of supersonic brain manipulation.

1. “I-76” – G. Love And Special Sauce. “When people ask who in the hell G. Love is, I tell them it’s basically Hip-Hop Blues. That’s exactly what this song is – catchy rhymes with a good blues background.”

2. “Caught Up In Your Love” – Ari Hest. “Ari is a brand new artist that I can’t get enough of. If you are going to check him out, this is the song to listen to. It’s upbeat and fun, and his voice will melt your panties.”

3. “Across the Sea” – Weezer. “This song is from their second album, and it’s one of my favorite Weezer tracks. Everything seems to come together in this energetic ballad.”

4. “Hands Down” – Dashboard Confessional. “If your old lady got you down, this energetic cry-baby song will pick you right up. Their songs may show too much emotion, but I can’t resist to turn them up.”

5. “Way out West” – Verbena. “Verbena is another new band that my roommate turned me on to. It reminds me of Local H, but it rocks and that’s all that matters.”

6. “Private Eye” – Alkaline Trio. “This Chicago native band rocks out on this song. I really don’t get into punk too much, but I like them anyways.”

7. “Any Way You Want It” – Journey. “Who doesn’t know the words to the chorus of this song when they’re drunk? Steve Perry’s voice is just too magical to deny.”

8. “Burn One Down” – Ben Harper. “If you got the reefer, I got the papers … but I didn’t inhale, I swear.”

9. “Overnight Celebrity” – Twista. “You should break out the running man or the Roger Rabbit for this track. I know I do.”

10. “Drive In, Drive Out” – Dave Matthews Band. “The music in this song is so incredible. When I see them live, it’s one of my favorites to hear.”

11. “Dirt” – Phish. “Phish has too many great songs to name, but this one always sticks out to me. The melody and the harmony in this tune are flawless.”

12. “Operator” – Jim Croce. “I’ve been caught dancing to this good classic bar-rock song. If you aren’t familiar with Jim Croce, my mother and I suggest that you listen to this track.”

13. “One Down” – Ben Folds. “I love every Ben Folds Five and Ben Folds song ever, but when I heard this one on Ben Folds’ live album it became one of my favorites. Ben Folds is a lyrical genius, and this song proves it.”

14. “Year of the Cat” – Al Stewart. “This song reminds me of three things – freshman year, drinking Wolfschmidt vodka with Romeo and then trying to write our own song, but basically this is another classic rock tune that employs a sweet sax solo.”

15. “Big time” – Big & Rich. “I recently got into country, and I love it. This song is the perfect example of a good country song you can party to. I suggest you all ‘cowboy up’ for this tune.”